Based in Sacramento, CA or Reno, NV offices for Sierra Nevada Journeys

Sierra Nevada Journeys (SNJ) is searching for a Development Director who will support a committed and growing development effort to fund important learning experiences for our community’s youth and to secure a critical education asset for future generations of youth. Sierra Nevada Journeys has grown rapidly in our 12-year history, now serving over 30,000 kids annually. The next phase of our growth over the next three years will include finalizing our capital campaign to purchase and maintain the Grizzly Creek Ranch camp, and growing donor support for programs accessible to all kids across the regions we serve.

A successful Development Director will lead a committed support team, individually solicit gifts, and manage a prospect or donor portfolio. To date, SNJ’s development success has consisted primarily of grants from local foundations and agencies, and the initiation of a capital campaign to purchase the Grizzly Creek Ranch. Our next phase of growth will focus on completing the capital campaign, growing individual and corporate donors, and expanding our donor base in California. The Development Director will be responsible for creating and implementing short and long-term development strategies that focus on new types of donors for the organization. As a member of SNJ’s leadership team, the Development Director will ensure successful execution of the organization’s fundraising programs including forecasting, annual campaigns, major gifts, corporate partner/sponsorships, and board fundraising. You have the opportunity to support a successful development team while working for an organization with a compelling mission and a strong culture of accountability and high quality.

Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or closely-related field or similar experience.

A minimum of five years in a fundraising role demonstrating success in donor cultivation and stewardship, closing major gifts, campaign management, as well as knowledge of development techniques, principles, and ethics.

Management experience required.

Proficiency with a development database.

Excellent written communication skills.

This job will require travel between Reno, Sacramento and Portola, rarely overnight.

NOTES:

Additional Salary Information: Live, work, explore and recreate in beautiful Sacramento or Reno (ranked in the top 10 best places to live in 2019).
Competitive salary and benefits (medical, dental and vision)
Paid holidays and vacation
Great team, dynamic culture, meaningful impacts.

About Sierra Nevada Journeys

At Sierra Nevada Journeys, we specialize in “aha” moments where the lights come on and everything is boldly and brightly illuminated and the world suddenly makes perfect sense. These moments of awakening, self-discovery and joy revolutionize young lives. They remove barriers and open the door to untold possibilities for a student. At Sierra Nevada Journeys, “aha” moments are the reason we exist.
As an outdoor science education nonprofit, we’ve helped more than 150,000 children to explore Nature through science, and fuel their own unique connections and discoveries. Most students we serve come from high-need communities across northern Nevada and California.
In fact, 70 percent of our students are children of color and over half the kids we serve come from low-income families.
Our mission is to deliver innovative outdoor, science-based programs for youth to foster our next generation of our community’s leaders, scientists, and stewards.
Now is your moment to support Sierra Nevada Journeys and create more “aha” moments for youth. Learn more at sierraevadajourneys.org.